Orchestra

Decorative image of orchestra playing on stage.

Are you interested in learning more about and/or playing with the SJSU Symphony Orchestras? If you'd like to join us:

  1. Click this link: Ensembles Interest Form
  2. Tell us about yourself in the form.
  3. We will keep you in the loop about rehearsal times, audition dates, and we'll also include videos of recent performances.

Visit the Ensembles Interest Form for more information and we look forward to telling you about our performing ensembles.

The mission of the orchestra is to deliver an outstanding music education for our students, and to perform at the highest level with passion, energy, and commitment. 

Music majors focusing on string performance must participate in Symphony Orchestra as their major ensemble. The ensemble is open to non-music majors as well; auditions take place immediately before classes begin each semester.

The core repertoire of the Orchestra spans a broad range of eras, styles, and genres.  Performances in fall '23 included guest violinist Mads Tolling performing his Violin Concerto, along with Arturo Marquéz's Danzon #2; a program with guest tenor Pasquale Esposito and Emeritus faculty Joseph Frank along with the SJSU Concert Choir, celebrating the great tenors Enrico Caruso and Mario Lanza; providing the full orchestra for the School's production of ADDAMS FAMILY; and performing a Buon Natale program to celebrate the holidays.

Performances in spring '24 include a performance featuring six winners of the 2023-24 Student Concerto Competition (March 12, 2024); Joseph Bologne "Chavalier de Saint George" opera, L'Amant Anonyme (The Anonymous Lover) April 19-21, 2024; and another program to be determined.

Performances in fall '22 included Philip Glass's "Low" Symphony; Beethoven Piano Concerto Nr 3; Mignone Concertino for Bassoon and Orchestra; a full run of "Into the Woods" at the Hammer Theater with the Broadway orchestration; and holiday concerts in Saratoga, Sacramento (Sofia Theater), and downtown San José (Montgomery Theater).

In 2021-22, the SJSU Orchestra performed in the Music Concert Hall, Hammer Theater, Montgomery Theater (SJ), Castro Valley Performing Arts Center, and elsewhere.  Repertoire included Stephen Hartke's Ship of State, Dvorak's New World Symphony, an opera double bill of Roberto Rodriquez's La Curandera and Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial by Jury, Mozart's Symphony No. 41 ("Jupiter"), and Buon Natale with tenor and alum Pasquale Esposito. 

The conductor of the SJSU Symphony Orchestra is Dr. Fred Cohen.

SJSU Spartan LogoDr. Fred Cohen
Director, School of Music
fred.cohen@sjsu.edu



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